Navigate Facilitation Challenges

There are often challenges when running a facilitation. The facilitator should outline and have everyone agree to the session's goal and timeframe. Diversity of viewpoints is important for the facilitation's success, as is gatekeeping to prevent people dominating. The facilitator should remain calm and professional. If the group is very divided or negative, the facilitator can use 'process feedback' to enable the group to take responsibility for what's happening and change the dynamic.

• Learn to navigate facilitation challenges using clarification, gatekeeping and process feedback.
• Start a facilitation intervention by outlining the session's goal, timeframe and securing the group's buy-in.
• Clarify their role, identifying issues and concerns.
• Use gatekeeping skills (to prevent anyone dominating discussion and ensuring maximum participation).
• Use process feedback if the group is divided or negative.